Immune Cells Response to Vitamin B May Result in TB Cure

"Humans are unable to make vitamin B and obtain it mostly from diet. Because bacteria can synthesise vitamin B, our immune system uses this as a point of difference to recognise infection," he said.

"Given the relative abundance of the MAIT cells lining mucosal and other surfaces, such as the intestine, the mouth, lungs, it is quite probable that they play a protective role in many infections from thrush to tuberculosis.

"This is a significant discovery that unravels the long sought target of MAIT cells and their role in immunity to infection."

According to Professor James McCluskey of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Melbourne, the discovery opened opportunities for vaccine development and other potential therapeutics. This will unlock the mystery of what drives a key component of our immune system, he said.

Whereas the Monash University's Professor Jamie Rossjohn believes the findings had major implications for understanding the relationship between gut bacteria and the immune system.

"Some vitamin by-products appear to drive immunity while others dampen it," Rossjohn said.

After this the researchers plan to explore whether MAIT cells might also be involved in intestinal or mucosal disorders.

"This discovery now cracks open a new field in immunology and we can expect many research groups to focus their attention on this system," Rossjohn said.

The details of this study were published in the journal Nature.